Jeremiah 22:21 I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, I will not hear. This has been your manner from your youth… In heaven, the more abundantly God's bounties are dispensed, the more is He loved and adored; but on earth, the richer His gifts, the more will He be neglected and disobeyed. A striking proof of our depravity, that constant prosperity hardens, and is unfavourable to piety. I. ABUNDANT EARTHLY BLESSINGS DO TEND TO MAKE THE HEART REBELLIOUS TOWARDS GOD. 1. Scripture teachings are emphatic on this matter (Deuteronomy 8:12-14; Hosea 13:6; Proverbs 30:8, 9). 2. Experience confirms Scripture. In many instances we see that the highest human virtues and holiest saints of God were unable to withstand the influence of prosperity. They could endure affliction, and profit thereby; as certain liquors ripen in the shade, which under the noonday beams turn to acidity and corruption. 3. It is doubtful whether there ever was a single instance of piety which could pass uninjured through the ordeal of unmingled prosperity. The tone of religion is lowered amid riches and honours. Where simplicity and humility of spirit are preserved amid prosperity, it is owing to some hidden trouble, which like the cord on the feet of the aspiring bird keeps the proud spirit lowly and abased. II. WHAT, THEN, MUST BE THE EFFECT OF PROSPERITY ON THOSE WHO HAVE NO RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE TO COUNTERACT IT, AND WHO ARE AVOWEDLY LOVERS OF THE WORLD AND ITS PLEASURES? 1. They will not heed the messages of God. 2. Religion, with its sober realities, is despised." 3. Those favoured of fortune are the most pitiable objects in the world. III. THEY WHO HAVE WORLDLY PROSPERITY SHOULD BE LED TO SELF-INQUIRY AS TO ITS EFFECT ON THEMSELVES. 1. Are you the same simple-hearted and sincere follower of Jesus as when you began to lay the foundation of your worldly exaltation? 2. What a caution is here to those who are seeking prosperity! Can you discover a means of preserving a lowly spiritual mind amid prosperity? Unless so, there is no alternative but that you must suffer adversity to keep you humble, or become worldly and spiritually hardened. 3. They who have become more indisposed to hear the voice of God should awake to their peril. 4. Prosperous ones may well regard their ease with apprehension. (W. H. Lewis, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. |
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